SLIPPERY ROCK — LeeAnn Gibson thought her days as a post player were over when she left Karns City for Slippery Rock University.

At 5-foot-10, Gibson was convinced her future at the Division II college level would be at guard.

So did SRU coach Bobby McGraw.

Until he saw Gibson scrap inside with players much taller than her early in her career last season.

And more than hold her own.

“As a freshman it was easy to see she would do whatever it takes to win,” McGraw said.

The Rock was already blessed with a deep roster of guards.

So the plan to make Gibson one was quickly scrapped.

“We had to make a decision,” McGraw said. “We had to find a way to get her on the floor.

“Being a former Marine, I don't use this term lightly. She's a warrior,” McGraw added. “She does stuff that doesn't show up in the box score.”

For Gibson, who scored 1,456 points and was the Butler Eagle Girls Player of the Year twice in during her career at Karns City, transitioning to that new role took a little getting used to.

Now as a sophomore, she's becoming more comfortable in it every game.

Gibson has played in all 26 games and has made 21 starts. She's averaging 24 minutes, 6.6 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.

“I definitely still try to be an offensive threat and score points,” Gibson said. “But in college, it's all about defense. Our coaches stress it and we even have a sign in the locker room that says, “Defense wins games.'”

McGraw touted one Gibson statistic that rarely shows up on any stat sheet to explain what she's meant to The Rock this season.

“She's taken 18 charges in 26 games,” McGraw said. “That has to be top-five in the country.”

Gibson has also embraced another role that is rare for a sophomore at any level.

Team captain.

“I'm very vocal to begin with,” Gibson said, chuckling. “I try to be even more energetic and encouraging and try not to let people get down on themselves. I guess just try to be more vocal than I already am. They really feed off it.”

“She showed me as a freshman that she's not afraid of anything,” McGraw added. “Not afraid to give constructive criticism or take constructive criticism. She's a winner and winners make the best captains.”

Gibson has been playing for years with two mangled fingers, one on each hand.

The pinky finger on her right hand is curled and she can't straighten it. The ring finger on her left hand was broken in high school and also have severely limited range of motion.

“It's not so much my left hand, but the pinky finger on my right hand that bothers me a little bit,” Gibson said. “When I shoot, it kind of alters it a little bit. I'm kind of getting used to it.”

Gibson is also getting used to the rigors of the post in college.

In high school, her height wasn't as much of a disadvantage.

Gibson has made up for that with her strength and tenacity.

“The biggest thing for me, I was strong in high school, but I needed to get a lot stronger. Playing a post in college is a lot different, especially when everyone is towering over me. I really have to use my strength to get into people and finish over people.”

Gibson has also worked on her quickness by jumping rope.

She feels like that offsets some of the drawbacks of giving up height.

“I can beat a lot of them off the dribble,” she said.

The Rock (12-14, 10-11) will close the regular season at Gannon Saturday and will open the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Tournament Monday.

“It's exciting to be around a lot of girls who are passionate about the sport and want to make the program a winning program,” Gibson said. “I know we're not done yet.”